Mark Webber Will Retire From Racing After 2016

After 25 years in racing, with nine F1 grand prix victories and a WEC title under his belt, Australian Mark Webber is retiring from racing. Porsche, with whom he's contesting the WEC in its 919 LMP1 car, announced the news Thursday. His last race will be the 6 Hours Baharain on November 19th.

Webber has achieved siginificant success in his three years driving sports cars with Porsche, but he's perhaps best known for his 12-year F1 career. From 2007-2013, he drove for Red Bull Racing, placing third in the driver's championship three times. He drove for Red Bull at the peak of its powers, but his time there was controversial, as he had to play second fiddle to Sebastian Vettel.

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Webber announced that he was leaving Red Bull at the end of 2013, joining Porsche as it returned to top-tier sports car racing. Even though he's retiring, Porsche will retain Webber as a brand representative and consultant, a similar role to rally driver Walter Röhrl.

Currently, Webber sits in fourth place in the WEC Driver's Championship alongside teammates Brendon Hartley and Timo Bernhard, but with three races left that could change.

"I will miss the sheer speed, downforce and competition," said Webber, in a statement. "I want to leave on a high and I'm very much looking forward to my new tasks."